I think if I were Kubiak and Phillips, I would have studied the tape of the defense Rex used when the Jets beat the Pats a few years ago. Dropping 7-8 guys into coverage at times clearly frustrated Brady, and Texans have the horses to generate a pass rush while doing it. That game was easily Rex's best coaching job.The one negative the Texans face in doing that, their DB's are the weakest part of their defense. Either way, if you try to play them straight up, Brady will carve them up.

Yes, I do, I actually think they have a good chance. Brady hasn't played well in the playoffs against a good D since... I can't even think back that far... 2005 maybe?

Texans do everything you need to do in recent years to beat the Pats in the playoffs. Good D with a disruptive pass rush that can force Brady slightly off his game early. Great running attack. I have Pats 28-24, but I could easily see that going the other way.

Brady did throw 6 TD against the Broncos last year. This overrated Texans defense (the Texans gave up 331 points this season which is the exact same amount the "horrible" Patriots defense) isn't much better than the Denver defense last year or this year's Pats' defense.

I think if I were Kubiak and Phillips, I would have studied the tape of the defense Rex used when the Jets beat the Pats a few years ago. Dropping 7-8 guys into coverage at times clearly frustrated Brady, and Texans have the horses to generate a pass rush while doing it. That game was easily Rex's best coaching job.The one negative the Texans face in doing that, their DB's are the weakest part of their defense. Either way, if you try to play them straight up, Brady will carve them up.

There are a few problems with that.

- the Texan defense is not as good as the Jets' defense in 2010.
- The Texans' defense is built on a strong front seven while the Jets were built on a strong secondary. The secondary other than Joseph are the weakness of their defense. Look at last week. If Dalton was a better QB, he would have passed for two more TDs last week with wide open receivers in the end zone
- The Pats didn't have an outside threat or a good running game against the Jets. That strategy of flooding the center of field with only four men not dropped into coverage will open opportunities for Ridley and Lloyd.
- Gronk was a rookie. He wasn't half the player he is today. That said, is he healthy?

I don't think the Texans will beat the Pats, and the Pats may get past the Ravens too, but we all know there's no way the Pats are beating the 49ers in the Superbowl so it will all be for nothing eventually. The Pats can't handle a strong defense, and their defense is going to get toasted by Kapernick so it will be a pretty good SB loss for the Pats again this year.

Anything is possible I suppose, but this game looks like a repeat of what we saw earlier this year.

If Foster runs for two hundred yards and the Texans sack Brady 5 times, I still don't see a scenario whereby the Pats don't score at least 30 points.

Please, someone tell me with heartfelt conviction that they honestly believe the Texans can knock off the Pats.

Don't bash the thread. If there is anyone who feels this way, and at least one "expert" from the networks thinks the Texans will win. I'll have to see it to believe it and then watch the game a second time on replay.

Anyone?

Reminds me of 2 years ago...Hopefully the Texans get payback like we did

I don't think the Texans will beat the Pats, and the Pats may get past the Ravens too, but we all know there's no way the Pats are beating the 49ers in the Superbowl so it will all be for nothing eventually. The Pats can't handle a strong defense, and their defense is going to get toasted by Kapernick so it will be a pretty good SB loss for the Pats again this year.

Did you watch the Pats vs SF game this year?

SF got a bunch of early breaks only to have their "strong" defense **** the bed...

What was 31-3, became 31-31 in a hurry.

I don't think it's a great defense... The best thing SF has going in their oline.

SF got a bunch of early breaks only to have their "strong" defense **** the bed...

What was 31-3, became 31-31 in a hurry.

I don't think it's a great defense... The best thing SF has going in their oline.

The D is truly great. Easily the best in the league. They got a huge lead and took the foot off the gas a little and Brady took advantage. It almost cost them, but if the Niners didn't get a huge lead, Brady would never have racked up those points.